Enchiridon Education Services

Richard Wilson of EES and Sebastien Roberts business manager of Faith Academy, Delhi worked together as Faith Academy develops the new preschool franchise called ‘Little Flock’

The Enchiridion was employed by the ancient church father Augustine of Hippo (386-430AD) when he developed a catechetical manual introducing the cardinal tenants of the Christian faith. The basic pillars of the Christian faith, ‘faith hope and love’ were the divisions of this manual. Under ‘faith’ an exposition of the great historic ecumenical creeds were expounded, such as the Apostle Creed presenting the basic tenants of the faith. Under ‘hope’ an exposition of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9 -15) was developed giving the Christian the framework of our prayer life and hope. Under ‘love’ a full and extensive exposition of the law of God, which is summed up in the word love, by the Lord Jesus when quoting from the Old Testament He said, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).

One of four in the development of the new franchise little flock. This venture is proving to be financially viable and an excellent outreach into the community of Delhi. LEM Phonics is the basis of the English literacy programme.

We chose this name because it enunciates our perspective on education, which establishes a Christian world view in the educational process. Initially we set up a company in India for our educational services but it was extremely expensive to run a company that was not geared to making high levels of profit. Just this year we have developed Enchiridion Education Services under an existing trust called “Initiators’ Trust” which is a more cost-effective way of operating these educational services. Enchiridion Education Services is therefore a project of and runs under the auspices of Initiators’ Trust which is based in Delhi.

Everything that IRFA does in India has an educational orientation whether we are providing pastoral assistance within our like-minded indigenous churches across the Indian subcontinent or providing educational consultancy across the Indian school system in India. IRFA is gathering educational experts that have ordination credentials and/or teacher registration qualifications. IRFA is a comprehensive educational provider and consultant.

Teachers teaching LEM phonics to a general infants class at Faith Academy in Delhi.

Enchiridion is therefore a vehicle for these educational services in the Indian subcontinent. IRFA is practically unknown in India and the face of IRFA is directly expressed in the face of our local churches, schools and other educational institutions operating freely and independently in India as lawful Indian institutions. If individuals who are connected with IRFA were unable to return to India for one reason or another it would have little to no effect on the work in India because the churches, schools and other educational institutions would simply operate without those individuals being present. Others would be raised up to continue any Nation 2 Nation assistance that exists between our work in India and our international fellowship.

Enchiridion gives us a convenient interface with schools and educational businesses. English in the providence of God is now the global language of choice. Internationally English is a common ‘lingua franca’ and having efficient means of English literacy is a ‘trump card’ in today’s world. In India most good educational institutions have English as the medium of their educational provision. Early childhood literacy and adult literacy is essential. We believe our LEM Phonics as an English literacy programme is among the best in the world. As schools see the value of LEM Phonics the academic standards of the school have been vastly improved as long as they implement the system consistently.

The spacious facilities for the little flock preschool in Delhi that teach LEM phonics as their English literacy programme. This franchise is a feeder school for Faith Academy.

As a business providing an English literacy programme in schools it does not make good financial returns but as a service we believe it is second to none. However, it is possible, and we are beginning to see real opportunities, in setting up English medium adult and adolescent tutoring centres and early childhood preschools as a business venture. Such stand-alone business ventures can also double, as what we call a ‘Tent Making Ministry’ (Acts 18:3), which will support outreach and provide a centre for worship on Sundays, while the facilities are being used as an educational institution from Mondays to Fridays. One of the biggest difficulties in church planting ministries is finding places of worship.